The Role of the Media in Emergencies

08:30, 11 Sep 2008
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET

Link to map: multimap

Options	Price
Normal rate	£140.00
Government rate Proof of eligibility must be presented	£100.00
Corporate rate	£120.00

---

About the event:

The media has a vital role to play during emergencies such as major terrorist attacks, large-scale flooding or pandemic flu and also in their immediate aftermath. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 places upon the Government a duty to communicate with the public, but gives little guidance on how this should be done, or through what media such messages are best delivered. During an emergency, those caught up in events are much more likely to turn to 24 news channels and local radio than to Government or Local Authority sources.

Local Resilience Forums must identify the Category 1 Responders who will take the lead in warning and informing the public. They must also ensure that the public receives consistent and agreed safety information. This requires robust and pre-arranged agreements with the media agencies that will be responsible for delivering that information.

At the same time, Lead Government Agencies and emergency responders must be aware of the media attention the emergency is likely to generate. They must have plans in place to work with the media so that their interest becomes neither intrusive nor overwhelming.

This workshop will examine the role the media has played, and can play, in emergencies. It will explore best practice for engaging with the media and give examples of good practice employed in previous events and also those from which lessons can be learned.

Key issues:

• Warning and informing the public
  Creating awareness of the threat without causing panic
• Media involvement
  Should media representatives be embedded in Gold and Silver commands, co-located for easy access or kept at arm’s length? 
• Psychological impact of media coverage
  How the media can influence the psychology of those caught up in a major emergency.
• Engaging with the press
  How to deal with media interest without letting it overwhelm responders and those affected by the emergency.
• The media as a Category 2 responder
  The role of the media in emergency communications.

Confirmed Contributors

• Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London
• Kevin Bakhurst, Controller, BBC News 24
• Dr John Drury, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Sussex
• Nigel Dyson, Managing Editor, BBC Radio Cumbria
• Hazel Westwood, Broadcaster, Media Consultant
• Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter, Chair, ACPO Media Advisory Group
• Dr Chris Cocking, Department of Psychology, London Metropolitan University
• Inayat Bunglawala, Presenter, Politics and Media Show, Islam Channel
• Donald Norrie, Media Emergency Forum, Cumbria Council
• Chris Webb, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Metropolitan Police Service
• Richard Werly, European Affairs Correspondent, Le Temps
• Kate Squire, Managing Editor, BBC Leicester
• Paul Hendy, National Flood Forum
• Emily Hough, Editor in Chief, Crisis Response Journal
• Janey Comber, Vice Chairman, North Cornwall District Council
• Maureen Kavanagh, Disaster Action

For further information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Mortimer, Project Manager, on +44 (0) 20 7747 2627 or Tomm@rusi.org

Event manager: Deanne Prudden, +44 (0)20 7747 2619